Kenya Safari from India 2027: ETA, Cost, Best Time and a 7-Day Plan

Last updated: October 2026

For many Indian travellers, a first wildlife trip means Africa, and for many of them Africa means Kenya. It is easy to see why. The Masai Mara is the stage for the Great Migration, the flight from Mumbai is shorter than the one to Europe, and you can see lions, elephants, giraffes and cheetahs on the same morning game drive.

A note before we start. I have put this guide together from operator and park research and from what I would plan for a first-timer from India. Where a number can change, I say so, and I tell you where to check it. That is the honest way to write about a country you are planning with someone, not one you are pretending to know by heart.

In this guide you will find the Kenya eTA for Indians, what a safari costs in rupees, the best time to go, a 7-day itinerary you can lift off the page, and the questions Indian travellers ask me most.

Is a Kenya safari worth it? My honest verdict

Yes, and it suits Indian travellers well. You get big wildlife without a huge itinerary. Kenya has good lodges at every budget, a long safari tradition and flights that connect easily. The season matters more than the lodge. A safari in the Great Migration months feels like a different trip from one in the quieter months.

Who will love it: families with children old enough to sit through a game drive, first-time Africa travellers, photographers, and anyone who has watched wildlife documentaries and wants to see it for real.

Who may not: travellers who dislike early mornings (game drives start around dawn), long drives on bumpy roads, or who want a beach and a city break with no wildlife. Combine Kenya with the coast if that is you.

Kenya eTA for Indians: what you need

Kenya replaced its visa system with the Electronic Travel Authorisation, the eTA, on 5 January 2024. Indian citizens on ordinary passports need one before they travel, and every traveller needs their own, including infants.

• How to apply: online, through the official Kenya eTA portal. Be careful of look-alike sites that charge extra.
• Fee: sources I found give figures between about US$30 and US$51, and some mention higher fees for express processing. They disagree, so check the portal for today’s fee.
• Processing time: commonly one to three working days, but longer in busy months. Apply at least one to two weeks before you fly.
• What you will need: a passport valid for at least six months with blank pages, a photograph, your flight and accommodation details, and proof of funds.
• Length of stay: the sources disagree between 30 and 90 days. For a safari this will not matter, but check the portal.

Rules like these change. Treat this list as what to look for, and confirm everything on the official portal before you pay.

What does a Kenya safari cost from India?

This is the question Indian travellers ask most, so here is the honest answer: a lot depends on the lodge, the season and how many days you take. These are the package prices I found listed by Indian operators in October 2026. Prices change, and each package includes different things, so compare inclusions and not just the headline number.

• 5 days, 4 nights, Nairobi and Masai Mara: about ₹1,35,000 per adult on one Indian operator’s listing, marked down from about ₹1,79,550.
• 7 days: about ₹2,10,000 per person on one group-tour listing.
• 8 days: about ₹2,53,000 per person on the same operator’s longer itinerary.
• Starting prices: some operators advertise Kenya packages from about ₹60,000 for a short trip, which usually means a budget camp and a shared vehicle.

Always ask what is included. Look for: international flights, internal flights, park fees, game drives, meals, drinks, transfers and the vehicle type (shared or private).

The park fee you should know about

The Masai Mara charges non-resident adults a daily entry fee. Most sources I found put it at US$100 per day from January to June and US$200 per day from July to December, with US$50 for children aged 9 to 17 and free entry for those under 9. A ticket is valid for 12 hours. Sources disagree on the dates the current tariff started, so confirm with your operator. This fee is often not included in the cheapest packages.

Best time for a Kenya safari from India

• July to October: the Great Migration river crossings in the Masai Mara. This is the busiest and costliest period.
• January to March: warm and dry, good wildlife viewing and fewer crowds. Many travellers prefer it.
• April to May: the long rains. Some lodges close or drop their prices, and roads can be difficult.
• November to December: short rains and green landscapes, with fewer visitors.

I cover this in detail in the best time for the Great Migration in the Masai Mara.

A 7-day Kenya safari plan

This is an example, not a fixed departure. We tailor every route.

• Day 1: Nairobi. Arrive, transfer to your hotel, rest. Many flights from India land at night or in the early morning.
• Days 2 and 3: Amboseli. Elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro behind them, if the clouds allow.
• Day 4: Lake Naivasha. A change of pace with a boat ride and a walk in the Rift Valley.
• Days 5 and 6: Masai Mara. Two full days of game drives. Ask for an early start and a bush breakfast.
• Day 7: Fly to Nairobi and connect home.

If you do not want so much driving, a fly-in safari saves road time. See our Kenya fly-in safari, 7 days and the Kenya classic safari, 7 days.

Getting there from India

Nairobi is about six hours of flying from Mumbai when a direct flight is operating, and otherwise one connection. Check the current schedule, because direct services change. From Delhi, expect one connection. Book your international and internal flights together if you can, so one delay does not break the chain.

What to eat: vegetarian on safari

Lodges and camps are used to vegetarian guests, but tell your operator when you book and remind the lodge on arrival. Bush meals are simpler than city meals, so ask what the vegetarian option actually is. Carry some dry snacks from home for early drives.

What to pack

• Neutral colours such as khaki, olive and beige. Avoid bright colours and very dark blue, which can attract insects.
• Layers. Mornings are cold on open vehicles and afternoons are warm.
• A good pair of binoculars, a hat and sunscreen.
• A camera with a long lens, plus spare batteries and cards.
• Any medicines you take, and an insect repellent.

Ask your doctor about vaccinations and malaria precautions well before you go. Rules on proof of vaccination can depend on where you travel from, so check with your doctor and operator.

Money and safety

Kenya uses the shilling, and lodges often quote in US dollars. Carry a mix of cash and a card that works abroad, and tell your bank before you travel. Stay with your guide on game drives, never step out of the vehicle unless told, and keep your distance from wildlife.

Kenya safari from India: common questions

Do Indians need a visa for Kenya?

Indian citizens need a Kenya eTA, which replaced the visa in January 2024. Apply on the official portal and check the current fee.

How many days do you need for a Kenya safari?

Five days is the minimum that makes sense for the Masai Mara. Seven days lets you add Amboseli or Lake Naivasha.

Is Kenya safe for Indian tourists?

Safari areas are among the most visited parts of the country, and a good operator handles transfers and guides. Use normal city precautions in Nairobi and follow your operator’s advice.

Is Kenya good for families?

Yes, for children old enough to enjoy long drives. Ask lodges about their child policies, since some have age limits.

Can I combine Kenya with Tanzania?

Yes. Many travellers add the Serengeti. See our Kenya and Tanzania grand safari, 11 days.

When should I book?

For the migration months, book six months or more ahead, since the best camps fill up.

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